NYC Emergency Management Hosts Graduation Ceremony For John D. Solomon Fellowship For Public Service Graduates

May 20, 2026

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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HOSTS GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR JOHN D. SOLOMON FELLOWSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE GRADUATES

The 12 fellows, who are graduate students from New York University, Columbia University, Baruch College, John Jay College, and Hunter College completed a nine-month fellowship focused on emergency management at eight City agencies and the American Red Cross in Greater New York.

"The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service provides the next generation of public servants with the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, learn from experts across the field, and gain a deeper understanding of the role each agency plays before, during, and after emergencies," said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell. "We are proud of our graduates and honored to carry forward John D. Solomon's legacy of service and leadership, which continues to inspire New Yorkers and public servants alike."

"The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service introduces participants to careers in public service and highlights the countless ways everyday New Yorkers support one another during emergencies," said Assistant Commissioner for External Affairs & Strategic Partnerships Ira Tannenbaum. "This program honors the legacy of John D. Solomon, who believed that preparedness was a responsibility we all share. We are proud of our fellows and all they have accomplished. I want to thank the Solomon family for their support and the host agencies who invest their time each year to help shape the next generation of public servants."

On hand to deliver remarks to this year's graduating fellows was the 2026 NYC Emergency Management "Commissioner for a Day," Aki Benjamin. The "Commissioner for a Day" program invites a New York City high school student to shadow agency leadership and experience firsthand the responsibilities of managing the city's emergency preparedness and response operations. Aki is a junior at Townsend Harris High School in Queens.

"I did not expect to be standing here today. I'm a high school student and yet for one day the City of New York has asked me to lead this agency. That says less about me and more about what John Solomon believed; that preparedness belongs to everyone," said Aki Benjamin, NYCEM Commissioner for the Day Winner.

The family and friends of the late John D. Solomon, an accomplished journalist who focused on homeland security and other public policy issues, established the John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service in 2012. A devoted public servant and active member of his local New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT), John was a passionate advocate of emergency preparedness and resilience.

"On behalf of John's family and friends, I am thrilled to congratulate the dazzling dozen John D. Solomon Fellows," said James Solomon, brother of the late John D. Solomon. "This year's graduation is especially meaningful as the largest in the Fellowship's history, with 12 Fellows, including a record eight from CUNY-affiliated graduate programs. It is also the first class presided over as NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell, who -- together with Assistant Commissioner Ira Tannenbaum -- has guided this Program since its inception. We are also deeply grateful to Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson for graciously joining us to celebrate the Fellowship's future civic leaders."

This year's fellows are continuing that legacy through focused, mission-driven work. Placed across various organizations including NYC Emergency Management, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City Police Department, Fire Department of the City of New York, New York City Housing Authority, the Department of Correction, New York City Health and Hospitals, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the American Red Cross in Greater New York, where they delivered lasting contributions. Fellows developed continuity plans for housing operations, analyzed the impact of major flooding events, improved volunteer safety training, supported emergency preparedness legislation, created tabletop exercises, and advanced public education campaigns in multiple languages. Their work strengthened agency readiness and improved services for communities at risk.

By developing future leaders in emergency management, the John D. Solomon Fellowship strengthens New York City's long-term capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. It builds a strong pipeline of public servants rooted in service, coordination, and public trust. The fellowship is administered by New York City Emergency Management and remains the city's only graduate-level program focused exclusively on emergency management. Since its launch, 130 fellows have served at 19 city agencies and nonprofit partners, contributing nearly 56,000 hours of service. More than 48 percent of alumni have continued their careers in government or public agencies, advancing the fellowship's mission to build a more prepared and resilient city through public service.

The 2025-2026 John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service graduating class members are:

Alissar Azzam, John Jay College, NYC Housing Authority

Edwin Chen, John Jay College, NYC Police Department

Maggie Davies, New York University, NYC Health and Hospitals

Edward Domanico, New York University, Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Shamiha Islam, Baruch College, NYC Fire Department

Kevin Gonzalez, Baruch College, American Red Cross in Greater New York

Emily Grip, Columbia University, NYC Emergency Management, Emergency Operations Center

Dayana Guerrero Uribe, Baruch College, NYC Emergency Management, Government Relations

Kahdija Jabbi, Baruch College, NYC Emergency Management, Strategic Partnerships

Ellie Maclennan, Columbia University, NYC Emergency Management, Resiliency and Recovery Planning

Sarah Maloney, Hunter College, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Stamatis Stavrianopoulos, John Jay College, NYC Department of Correction

The next fellowship for the 2026-2027 academic year will begin in September 2026. The process for selecting the new cohort is underway. For more information on this year's 12 graduates, visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/about/meet-fellows.page.

Commissioner For the Day

The annual NYC Emergency Management "Commissioner for a Day" essay contest is open to all New York City high school students enrolled in grades 9-12 and attending schools located within the five boroughs of New York City. Entrants must submit an original essay and complete an application. The selected winner will be invited to NYCEM headquarters to shadow agency leadership and learn the responsibilities of managing the city's emergency preparedness and response. They will also take part in the Commissioner for a Day Award Ceremony and have an opportunity to speak at the John D. Solomon Fellowship Graduation event.

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